26O METHODS IN TEACHING 



now possesses a knowledge of his country's history, and his 

 powers of observation are sufficiently mature to make of 



this final work more than a mere review. 

 Completed ^ ^ ecomes a study of cause and effect, 



in which results are attained that could not 

 have been thought of in the lower grades. The study of the 

 continent is now preceded by a discussion of the historical 

 events that led to its discovery, settlement, development, and 

 division into the countries of today. The physical and 

 political geography is reviewed, stress being laid upon those 

 features that constitute important causes in the development 

 of the country; such as, navigable rivers, harbors, mineral 

 deposits, agricultural possibilities, climate. 



Physical and political maps of our country are carefully 

 drawn, so that the pupil's knowledge shall be very exact of 

 the location and boundaries of states, location of cities in 

 reference to navigable waters and to railroad connections, 

 and, later, with reference to surrounding areas of produc- 

 tion. Memory drawing of individual states is one of the 

 best means of securing familiarity with the location of im- 

 portant cities, rivers, mountain ranges, and boundaries. 

 Groups of states may be taken up in the same way. The 

 results of this kind of training in interest and accurate 

 knowledge are surprising to those who try the method for 

 the first time. Sketch maps of the United States, showing 

 important mineral regions, forest areas, wheat and corn 

 belts, and the regions in which cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, 

 and other staples are produced, prepare the pupils for the 

 readings and discussions that are to follow. 



